The Film Mercury (1926-27)

Page Six THE FILM MERCURY, FRIDAY, MARCH 26, 1926 Hollywood, Calif. BUYS GUS HILL STORY Sam Sax has purchased Gus Hill's “McFadden’s Row of Flats” for screen production. * * * UNIVERSAL GOES IN FOR PRESENTATION Jack Savage, New York stage artist and designer, has been engaged by Universal Pictures Corporation to prepare prologue presentations for all the larger pictures on the company’s program for this season. Savage will establish a new department with Universal. He has designed many spectacular and artistic scenes for stage productions by Ziegfeld and the Shuberts in New York. His presentation ideas will be carried on to other cities with each picture, according to Universal’s plans. His first work will be on “The Flaming Frontier” and “The Midnight Sun.” * * * SIGN PLAYERS FOR F. B. O. PRODUCTION George O’Hara and Ralph Lewis have been signed for roles in the F. B. O. production “Bigger Than Bamum,” from the story by Arthur Guy Empey. Ralph Ince will direct the production and also play the leading heavy role. Viola Dana will play the leading feminine role. * * * HUGHES IN TWO PICTURES Lloyd Hughes is playing in two First National productions concurrently. He is playing opposite Colleen Moore in “Ella Cinders,” and is also playing the leading male role in “Pals First,” another First National picture. Famous to Farm Beginners to F.B.O. Farming out possible future stars of the screen to the minor p r o d u cing organizations for grooming, along the lines that are new in vogue in major and minor league baseball, is one of the latest developments that has come to light in connection with the Paramount School for Screen Acting. According to a story in Variety it is stated that a deal has been consummated between Famous Players-Lasky and F. B. 0. whereby the 16 recent graduates of the Paramount School are to be farmed out to the latter organization, for them to utilize in their production division and groom for the big league. The 16 all have contracts with Famous Players for three months at $75 weekly, after which there is an option for an additional six months at $100, another six at $150, then six at $200, followed by three options of one year each at $300, $400 and $500 respectively. The deal with F. B. O. calls for Famous to pay the salaries of the youthful prodigies while F. B. O. is to pay the expense of taking them to the coast. During the time that F. B. O. is using the youngsters, Famous will at all times have the “call” on their services and will be able to draft them for their own productions whenever the occasion arises that they want them. * * * William Clifford has been engaged as scenario head at Columbia studios, under the supervision of Harry L. Kerr. i r Screen Library Service GLadstone 2064. ■ ~ - A WM. LA PLANTE ATTORNEY AT LAW 224 Guaranty Bldg., Hollywood, Calif. Specializing Motion Pictures, Business Management, Maritime Direction, Releasing Arrangements GLadstone 6914 V ■ — o F. N. PRODUCER HERE Henry Hobart, an associated producer of First National, arrived in Hollywood this week. His first picture is “Don Juan’s Three Nights,” to be directed by John Francis Dillon, with Lewis Stone and Shirley Mason in the leading roles. * * * BETTY IN “FIG LEAVES” Betty Boyd has been added to the cast of the William Fox production of “Fig Leaves,” which Howard Hawks is directing. * * * Forty-nine From Fox It is understood Fox plans to spend in excess of $10,000,000 on its 1926-1927 program. It will contain 49 features and 52 comedies, besides the novelties and news reel. * * * FOX BUYS RIGHTS TO “FAMILY UPSTAIRS” William Fox has purchased the screen rights to “The Family Upstair s,” the current Broadway success, which Sam H. Harris is producing. Harry Delf wrote the play and Eve Unsell ■will write the scenario for the film version. * * A DEL RUTH TO DIRECT NEW WARNER PICTURE Roy Del Ruth will direct “The Footloose Widow” as his next production for Warner Brothers. Louise Fazenda and Jacqueline Logan will play featured roles in the production. * * * SIGNED FOR “TEMPTRESS” Armand Kaliz has been signed for a role in the M.-G.-M. production of “The Temptress,” from the novel by Vincente Blasco Ibanez. Lubitsch Signs New Warner Contract Ernst Lubitsch has signed a new long-term contract with Warner Bros., according to report. A high figure per picture with a cut in the profits of his films, is said to have been agreed upon by Warner’s in their efforts to hold Lubitsch in the organization. Lubitsch is known to have received many offers recently from several of the big companies. * * * LENORE COFFEE ON NEW STORY FOR DE MILLE Lenore J. Coffee it at work on “For Alimony Only,” an original story to be produced under the supervision of Cecil B. De Mille by a director yet to be selected. This will be Miss Coffee’s second story for the De Mille organization. Another 5,000 Seat House for Chicago Chicago, 111. — Another new 5,000 seat house is proposed for the South Side, near Halstead and Sixty-third streets. It will be designed by Joseph Pierre Nuyttens, the famous Belgian painter and etcher. Herbert Frankham is president of the National Bookings Offices, sponsors of the new theatre. * * * Negri Going to Germany Pola Negri will sail from New York for Berlin the end of April to start work in Berlin on June 1 on what will be the first German-made pictures under the Ufa deal with Famous. A German director will make the picture. m s© a® r'S) Ag) 4g If ■5© m Bassett and Bennett FOUNTAIN SERVICE MAGAZINES MALTED MILK A SPECIALTY 64031/ 2 Hollywood Boulevard We are two doors west of Cahuenga PPfiPWiPWIPWfW f®? sx. (sift m. 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